With Valentine's Day less than a month away, we thought we would bake some special cupcakes. Hey, it's never too early to get ready for the big day. I thought we would try and make some color swirl cupcakes using squirt bottles so it would be easier for the kids to help. These were simple to make, and the mess was somewhat contained because of the bottles.

Supplies you will need:

Cake mix (yes, I got it on clearance at Target for 71 cents)

Squirt bottles, like you would use for condiments

Frosting

Red Food Coloring

Muffin tray

The first step is to prepare the cake mix as directed. I have some great little bakers who love to help me make cupcakes. Here they are adding the ingredients and helping to stir.

Even the littlest ones can help in the kitchen. Check out Little C's mad stirring skills.

When the kids were done making a mess helping, I divided the batter into two bowls. We then used red food coloring to color the batter two different colors. I had originally planned to have one batter be pink and the other dark red. Well after using tons of red food coloring I gave up at a light red. I didn't want to waste all my food coloring trying to get this batter dark red.

Then I used a funnel to pour some of the batter into these squeeze bottles. I got my bottles at Michael's (with a 40% off coupon). I got it in the candy melt section and I plan to use them when making chocolate lollipops. But they work great for this too. Any type of squeeze bottle that you would use for ketchup or mustard would work well. My only tip is to make sure the batter is beaten enough so you don't have little balls of batter clogging the spout.

This was really a great fine motor exercise for the kids. They got to squeeze really hard and watch the batter come out. We layered the colors so they were each taking turns squeezing pink and then red.

Don't worry if it looks messy, they will look very cool when baked and opened. The great part about using the squeeze bottle is that it's hard to mess these things up.

Bake according to the package directions. This is what ours looked like before they went in the oven.

And here they are when they were done baking. Pretty cool, right?

They are pretty enough to serve as is, but I ADORE frosting, so you know I was not going to miss a chance to heap some on.

This is what you find when you cut into the swirl cupcakes. So pretty and easy. Hubby kept asking how we did it, thinking it was a lot of work. Let's not tell him it was so easy. Make some for your sweetie this Valentine's day.

I have a cherry chip cake mix in my pantry that expired a few days ago, so I need to use it up ASAP. This would be the perfect Valentine's treat to make! By the way, I have a great cookbook giveaway going on right now if you would like to enter? http://eatcakefordinner.blogspot.com/2012/01/rush-hour-recipes-review-and-cookbook.html

@ Kelsey, Thanks for stopping by! Hope you like them.@ Cranberry Morning, they enjoy the eating the most!@ Ambreen, I tried to be good with all the cupcakes and frosting, but it didn't turn out so well. :-)@ Vanessa, the kids really liked the colors inside.@ Adventure Academy Mom, thank you so much for the visit!@ Hanni, hope your hubby enjoys them!@ Melissa, Please let me know how they turn out.@ Krista, I thought I had seen some at the dollar store this summer, but haven't seen them in a while.@ Susan, thanks so much, I appreciate it!@ Louisa May, Thanks so much for the kind words.@ Danielia, Thanks so much! I always appreciate when you stop by.@ Kelly, twins are such fun. I just love the special relationship they share.@ Andrea, so happy you popped in.@ D, hope he is feeling better soon@ Anna, Thanks for stopping in!@ Amy, you can probably make them without the kids. :-)@ Beth, It was very easy for the kids to do. The hardest part was me filling the bottles.

These are so pretty. You have a good helper there. I bet they tasted amazing. Thanks for sharing. Besides my weekly Fri-monday linky, I am hosting a Valentine contest with some great prizes, hope you will stop by.http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

I LOVE your recipe! That's a CUTE mess! Would you come over to CAST PARTY WEDNESDAY and share this yummy recipe with us?Thanks,I hope to see you there!Sherylhttp://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=23007

@ Cheap Crafty Mama, thanks so much for the invite, I just linked up.@ Nicole, thanks so much!@ Lil Miss Red T shirt, I ate way too many of them. Thanks for the visit. @ Reannah, Let me know how they turn out!@ Mindie, thanks, I will stop by.@ Emily, viva la frosting!@ Sheryl, so excited to see you here. I just adore your blog!@ Sue, I don't know that they are always helpful, but we have fun. @ Maggy, so happy you popped in.@ Jonnique, Thanks so much for coming by!@ Lindy, the kids love to help, but they love to eat more.

I found you on Tater Tots and Jello and I would love it if you would share this with our readers too for Fun Stuff Fridays! http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays_10.html

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Hi, I'm Vicky, founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for play and learning activities for kids, kid friendly food, parenting tips and general family fun, you will find it at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me or drop me a note. Thanks for stopping by!